Jesus In Genesis

There are hints of Jesus throughout the entirety of Genesis and the New Testament names Him as Creator.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-3, 14 NKJV)

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17 NASB)

Prophecies are often hints. As God speaks to the snake, notice how the object changes from the woman to her seed or offspring, which is not plural but singular, and then a singular man’s heel, “his heel.” Notice too how the wounds are different.

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15 ESV)

Jesus is also pictured in Abel, who offered a better sacrifice than His brother.

“By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice to God than Cain, which showed that he was righteous, since God gave approval to him for his gift. Though he died, he’s still speaking through faith.” (Hebrews 11:4 CEB)

Yet, righteous Abel’s blood could not save humanity.

“And Jesus is here! He is the one who makes God's new agreement with us, and his sprinkled blood says much better things than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:24 CEV)

Jesus told the thief on the cross he would be in the heavenly garden. Paradise means a garden.

“And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’ ” (Luke 23:43 ESV)

The physical salvation of Noah’s family through water was a picture of baptism and eternal salvation in Christ.

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house” (Hebrews 11:7a KJV).

We also see that Jesus is a priest forever after the order of Melchisedek.

“First, the name Melchizedek means ‘king of righteousness’; then also, ‘king of Salem’ means ‘king of peace.’ Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.” (Hebrews 7:2b-3 NIV)

Abraham was not just blessed for himself or one nation but for the whole world.

“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” (Genesis 22:18 NKJV)

By seed or offspring, Paul explains that this is singular and means Jesus.

“Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, ‘And to your seed,’ that is, Christ.” (Galatians 3:16 NASB)

As Abraham offered up Isaac, so God offered up his Son. For God, this was going to be real. But, for Abraham it was only a test, because the angel stopped him.

“ ‘Don't hurt the boy or harm him in any way!’ the angel said. ‘Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son.’ ” (Genesis 22:12 CEV)

Instead, a lamb was offered, as Abraham had in faith predicted.

“And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” (Genesis 22:8 KJV)

The Lamb of God was offered for all of us.

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV)

Jacob dreamed of a way to heaven.

“As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway.” (Genesis 28:12 NLT)

Later, we understand that Jesus is the way, the only way.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV)

Jesus is the stairway to heaven.

“Then he said, ‘I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.’ ” (John 1:51 NLT)